Simple Sunday

Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to thier cry.

If you are facing storms. If you are crying out trust he is there.

May your Sunday be Simple and Blessed in this assurance. For more encouragement visit Peggy

Then Sings My Soul--Praise You In The Storm

I have shared this song before here and in my ministry journal and blog. There have been many times that these words reminded me of God's love, even when we can't see it or feel it. Even when we question we can be reminded he is there he is holding our tears.

I share today with you. If he is holding your tears today I pray you are reminded of his his love for you.

Amy hosts Then Sings My Soul please visit her for more beautiful reminders through song.

Thankful Thursday

This week I agree with Laurie's post here's the verse she used...
NEHEMIAH 9:17 " You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."



Here are Laurie's thoughts...
"When we constantly seek Him, and continue to look for what His desires are for our lives and not our fleshly desires ... we can then find the deserved rewards that we are seeking! God is a gracious and compassionate God, He is slow to anger and abounds in love. He knows better what we are in need of than we are. Arent' you thankful that God knows exactly what is best for us?"



I too am Thankful for God's graciousness and his mercy. And that he is slow to anger. I am Thankful for the abundance of his love.



This week I had a few rough days as shown in my whiny Tuesday post. I am sure your like me and have those days. Today I am Thankful that God knows what is best for us.



I am Thankful he knows what is best for our ministry.



I am Thankful that he has provided us a wonderful house and a landlord that also seeks to trust him and allows God to guide him.



I am Thankful that God provides what we need when we need it. And that the utilities are paid, there is food in the house and food for all the animals.



I am Thankful that our daughters job is flexible and that she can take the baby to work. That I keep him for 3 hours a couple of days a week.



What a beautiful list don't you think? And in case you need a smile today I want to share this photo with you.

I love this illustration. I was given permission to use it for our ministry. I am Thankful for other bloggers that are so willing to share thier work. Go by and see Lori. She has a beautiful blog. I love her name All I have to give which expresses my desires to please our father.

Thanks Lori!

Wishing Many Blessings and much Thankfulness,
Sherry

Thankful Thursday

My Thankful list is long. I will be back later this afternoon to post. Until then
go here other thankful posts.

Have a Blessed Day

Word Filled Wednesday

Psalms 28: The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart turst in him, and I am helped. My
heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Debra Kaye at Clothed With Scarlet needs our prayers now. She is having some heart problems. She is in the hospital and will have a procedure tomorrow. Please go to
her blog to see the report that Kim at Homesteaders Heart wrote for Debra Kaye.


Will you please join Us in prayer for her right now?Dear Lord you are the Almighty God. This hasn't taken you by surprise and you are in complete control. I pray right now Lord that you just touch Debra's heart Lord. Make it strong. Let it be able to handle what is going to be happening these next few days Lord. Guide the hands of the doctors and give them wisdom and Lord if it be your will I pray for a complete healing right now.Be with her family and please give them peace and keep them strong. I ask this in your Precious Name Jesus, Amen!Thank you ladies.

Prayer for a friend

Debra Kaye at Clothed With Scarlet needs our prayers now. She is having some heart problems. She is in the hospital and will have a procedure tomorrow. Please go to
her blog to see the report that Kim at Homesteaders Heart wrote for Debra Kaye.


Will you please join Us in prayer for her right now?Dear Lord you are the Almighty God. This hasn't taken you by surprise and you are in complete control. I pray right now Lord that you just touch Debra's heart Lord. Make it strong. Let it be able to handle what is going to be happening these next few days Lord. Guide the hands of the doctors and give them wisdom and Lord if it be your will I pray for a complete healing right now.Be with her family and please give them peace and keep them strong. I ask this in your Precious Name Jesus, Amen!Thank you ladies.

My Thoughts for the day aka Day Book Entry

I was thinking last night about what to write today. There are many things going on in my mind. Things I want to share. Things that need prayer. As I thought about it and prayed last night I thought it would be fun to use the Simple Woman's Day Book as a template. (with some changes) And everything rides on hope...

FOR TODAY June 23



Prayers lifted up to the father today: Our ministry, dear sweet Debra aka Clothed in Scarlet (see her button on the sidebar), Families in crises and my own faith



I am seeking... God's direction in ministry. Financially we are beyond the 11th hour once again. The difference currently is we seemed to have all our bills paid, food for all the animals. But we are behind on the rent again. We have been waiting all month for a big corporate donation. I just continue to over and over question God's timing. I guess it is similar to when people ask why do bad things happen? We don't understand God's ways. I have to remember this verse. Isaiah 55:8&9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. But still I struggle. Because I just don't understand why it is so hard. I need God's strength. I need encouragement. I need affirmation. It actually hurts when I look around at what our personal life is like. When I try to dress to go somewhere and I can't find anything to where. When I try to brush my hair and look halfway presentable. I haven't had a haircut in almost 2 years. And color well that is scary. I have exactly one pair of blue jeans because I splurged and bought a new pair after the only other pair I had litterally was so thread bare that they fell apart. For a few weeks I was really 'in style' but then it got beyond style and got obscene. I know your thinking what is this girl whinning about? What exactly does she mean that it hurts? It hurts because I see us working so hard to do what we think God has directed us to do and yet we barely are making it. It hurts when our daughter is having financial struggles (made a banking error; not good anytime but especially bad when you live pay day to payday) it hurts that we can't help. It hurt that the timing was such that the food pantry is depleted because we were cleaning everything out to do a thorough cleaning.


And so I struggle. I struggle with wondering if this was all really God's will why is it so hard.


And then I have to go back to Isaiah.



I didn't sleep last night...Because I was so upset and disappointed about the break up of a marriage. I know that there are many opinions about Jon and Kate and I actually have my own but it just breaks my heart to see what they are going through. I am praying for them and I am praying that God brings to them spiritual mentors.





I am thinking...that young families need spiritual mentors.





I see the need for...women to follow the principles of the Titus 2 woman.





I am disappointed...in my church. When we joined there 5 years ago we were searching for a traditional place of worship. A church that was structured and sound in Biblical ways and teaching. A church that was like the churches we grew up in only current. A church that had Sunday evening services. A church that had Sunday School.


Today the church where we worship doesn't have Sunday night services. No services or teaching on Wednesdays (during the summer) and our Sunday School teacher left the church a year ago. We have been having subs everyweek for a year now. I miss Sunday night services.





I am trying to be...faithful in scripture memory and to encourage both my (adult)children in memorizing scripture and finding time to go to church. although in my daughters case I understand because she lives near us and finding a church is hard.



I am frustrated... because I want to make my house a home. I want it to be clean. I want to have the energy to keep it clean and unclutterd. I want to be excited if company drops in not embarrased to let anyone in the front door.





I am seeking wisdom, strength,energy, encouragement affirmation or answers.





And friends I promise tomorrow I will be back to normal. I promise to post a WFW entry and I promise to be cheerful and looking forward to the day.





And before I go since I am copying The Simple Woman here's something I want to share.





And so my friends even if you have a day like I have had or you feel like I feel....live for this day because there is Joy in it. Because there is nothing between You and Jesus
Have Hope in tomorrow and Learn from yesterday


And everything rides on hope...

Thanks for coming by. I hope you like this little blinkee. I will be back this afternoon. This morning I am playing and taking pictures of my grandbaby. Please come back later for my post

Gram's Daybook Post

 

BTW the filthy looking bibs has carrots and green beans he was feeding himself! I cleaned his face and hands before the dessert.

 

 

 

How I spent my morning at least part of it. These were taken at the end of lunch. I was trying to post on the baby's blog but this is where they ended up. And I tried to post as a collage but that didn't work either. This is another of those dummies at blogging posts

The Simple Woman's Daybook entry

FOR TODAY June 22
Outside my window...A fallen tree waiting to be chopped down and green tomatoes turning slowly to red
I am thinking...That I enjoy the Simple Woman's Day book and happy to be at it again
I am thankful for...I am keeping my grandson today and that my daughter has a job
From the learning rooms...I continue to make plans to encourage both my (adult)children in memorizing scripture and find time to go to church
From the kitchen...beans with a ham bone in the crockpot
I am wearing...khaki Gloria Vanderbilt pants that I cut off into crops with a frayed him, a thin red t-shirt (It is hot) and no shoes at the present.
I am creating...chaos in my house. Moving furniture around which means moving things around and emptying shelves and drawers which means more and more chaos
I am going...to finish the furniture project
I am reading...Spirtual Mothering and a Nora Roberts novel
I am hoping...I am hoping to get this posted before my cowboy wants to leave and take the computer
I am hearing...the a/c working
Around the house...empty shelves, books piled, fabric piled waiting to move to their new homes
One of my favorite things...fabric
A few plans for the rest of the week:babysitting, going to the food bank reading group on Thurs. Food bank again on Friday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a photo taken last Thursday at the halfway house where I minister. You can go here to read about the evening. (I'll be writing that post tonight when the computer comes back) Have a Blessedly Simple Day and don't forget to stop over at Peggy's for more day book posts.

And one more item of business the weekly Bible verse.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. Proverbs 11:30 (NASB)

I am encouraged each week by a group of bloggers that work on memorizing scripture together. Join us today at The Power of Your Love

Simple Sunday Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day

As I thought of Super Simple Sunday this is the verse that came to mind today. I think that it is fitting.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie thound your as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9
And it is my prayer that your father, husband and father of your children is strong in the faith and a Number 1 dad in Gods eyes. Praying for them today.

Visit Peggy today for Simple Sunday.

I woke up and it was Satuday and of course the day for Then Sings My Soul with Amy

I have been so busy this week. I can't even remember all that I have done. I did spend a lot of time at the halfway house. There is a young lady there that has been on my heart this week alot. She loves 3rd Day and so I post this song today for her. She won't know it but I pray that each of you that read my post and listen to this song think of Leslie.



Have a Blessed day singing for Jesus.

Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth

You can join here . Eeach week we get a new verse and then on the following Monday everyone writes how it spoke to them during the week. Here's our verse for this week.
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus....Romans 8:1 (NASB)
I don't usually write a post on Monday because I write a Mission 4 Monday post. Today you can read my post here
Please go over and visit and leave me a comment so I know that you went by. Your encouragement is a huge blessing.
Thanks for stopping in today.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The power of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
This is our Bible memory verse this week.
I looked it up in the Contemporary English Version. I like this version too.
If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help alot. James 5:16

I love Wordfilled Wednesday hosted by Amy
go over and visit her and let her know I sent you. And visit Renae she supplied the lovely little vintage photo.

Mission 4 Monday A Game of Hope

(edited at 5:18...go visit my friend Jen she is having a cool giveway this week...not yet though read my post first!
Join Peggy and visit other Mission 4 Monday posts....but before you go join me on a Mission of HOPE


In football, rarely do you give your opponents a chance.
Hit first. Get off the line first. Score first. So it goes. On the girdiron, more often than not, things are about leaving the other guys behind while you finish first.

As parents when our kids are the players or cheerleaders we are proud of them and thier accomplishments. We devote many hours to their care. We arrange our schedules to coincide with their schedules. We do "without" so they can "have". And typically we give them more than they really need. Don't we?

And as parents we are like the players we don't give the opponents a chance; we yell and root for "our team".

But last year one group of parents and one amazing football team coached by one amazing coach did do that. They yelled and they cheered for the team

They gave the other team a chance...and they showed and shared God's love in an amazing way. Below is just one of the stories about Faith Christian and Gainesville State School.

The U.S. Army and Dave Campbell's Texas Football honored Faith Christian High School as the Private School Army Strong/Texas Football team of the year Tuesday night at an honors ceremony at their new campus in Grapevine. Faith found national recognition in 2008 after it shared fans, food and prayer with Gainesville State school at a regular season game. Gainesville, a state school made up primarily of troubled youth, has no fans, no cheerleaders and, more often than not, no wins. It lost that night against Faith, too -- but at least someone gave them a chance.
The Army Strong Team of the Year Award is presented to one team annually in each division of high school football throughout the state of Texas. The award recognizes the teams that best displayed their commitment to the same values as a U.S. Army soldier throughout the season -- teamwork, dedication, discipline, leadership, and loyalty.
"While Faith Christian's season on the field should be honored," said Executive Director Adam Hochfelder, "what drew us and the U.S. Army to this amazing group of student athletes was their amazing show of sportsmanship, community activism and character in sharing their fans with Gainesville State School in a regular season game this past season."
"These players possess a mental, emotional and physical strength similar to Army Soldiers," said attending local recruiter Sgt Ron Balais. Balais went on to say that Faith Christian's example of community leadership works perfectly with the Army Strong model and seven key Army Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.
"These values spell out leadership," Said Sgt Balais, "and that is what this program and Faith Christian's example is all about."
"Leadership is what we want to teach here," Said head coach and athletic director Kris Hogan. "Our young men and women are pushed to go out and serve the community and take Faith Christian's message to the world. We are honored to receive this award."

A photo of the game....




This was a game of Hope for our boys at Gainesville State School.

Come back this week as I share more about Gainesville State School and Faith Christian. And the Hope that the boys from Gainesville received.

My verse this week as assigned here...
James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective

Simple Sunday

This is a really late post and actually I borrowed it from Peggy but I thought it was so beautiful that I had to use it. You may have already been by today and maybe you won't be back by but just in case or if your new I wanted to dosions a Simple Sunday post and also invite you back tomorrow for Monday 4 Missions. I will be sharing about my weekend you really won't want to miss it. BTW have some kleenexs ready I promise if you come by you will be Blessed by the Lord.
Many Blessings all...thank you Peggy for your Simple Sunday post and I am thankful you had safe travel. Enjoy your time in the country LOL we will be praying you'll get time to visit the library.
Blessings on yourJourney

Weekend update

Forgot to tell you all that I am off for the weekend at a conference for our states volunteers with teens. I'll be back tomorrow night.

So this little visit isn't for nothing here's a grandma moment. at least I don't do this everyday!

I know what your thinking. Isn't he adorable...he loved his first birthday cake!
Thanks for stopping by and please come back.

The Legend of the Donkey's Cross and Thankful Thursday

I enjoyed spending time this week at the foot of the cross. Thanks for coming along on my journey. And thanks for coming by today to read about the The Legend of the Donkey's Cross.


As the legend goes, the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday refused to leave the Master and continued to follow Him even as he was arrested and sentenced to the cross. The donkey was there as Jesus hung on the cross, but he couldn't bear to watch. So, he silently stood by with his face turned away. The shadow of the cross fell across the little donkey's back and left the mark that was passed on to all the donkey's children as a symbol of the donkey's love for Jesus and Jesus' love for us all.

Of course, this is a legend only, not Biblical truth. But the truth is just as wonderful as the story - that all of the donkeys were created with this mark of the cross, bearing testimony to the true story of Christ's love for man and His ultimate sacrifice for our redemption.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead..." (Romans 1:20 KJV)

And now my Thankful list.

My daughter and son in love and grandbaby surprised us by coming by last night. It was at dinner time and so we ended up getting a pizza. It was a fun family night.

I am thankful that God has opened the door really wide for Cowboys ministry at the boys facility. This week and next he is taking a caseworkers group while the caseworker is on vacation.

I am thankful that our son in love has vacation time and wants to take it and help Cowboy.

I resolve to be thankful for God's timing. We are still waiting on his answers concerning a building for our ministry. I am thankful that he give us promises in his word and I am thankful that I can lean on his word and trust his faithfulness.

I am thankful that he shows me he does answer our prayers that he does hear our hearts yearning.

And I am thankful for Thankful Thursday hosted by Laurie she encourages us to be thankful for sweet things. Having a sweet tooth for God's word. A craving for. I thought this was a wonderful illustration thanks Laurie for sharing.

Wordfilled Wednesday

As they approached Jerusalem and Jesus sent two disciples ahead saying to them "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by. Untie them and bring them to me." Matthew 21:2

Thank you for joining me this week at the cross. Please come back tomorrow for my final post and learn the legend of the donkey.

Don't forget to visit Lisa for more WFW and she's havin' a party too....go get some cake and fun prizes!

At The Cross

His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord, His name is full of wonder, miracles, excitement, peace and joy.

Thank you for joining me this week at the foot of the cross.

This week I am seeking the Peace of Jesus. God didn't promise everything to be perfect all the time. Nor did he promise we would never have trials. To be sure life is full of sorrow and broken hearts, health and financial problems. He didn't promise that everyone we come in contact or love will treat us the way we want.

But he did promise that if we live our live with him that he would give us redeemption,righteousness, refreshment and Peace. He will restore your heart, mind and soul.

Are you hurting? Are there areas in your life that you neeed the peace of Jesus. Do you feel a need to sit at the foot of the cross? I used an illustration once that I saw our Youth Minister use. You probably have a cross in your home since everyone is decorating with them. Why not take the time to write down those things that are bothering you. The things that hurt. Those things you need to turn over to your Lord and Savior. Write them down on a piece of paper. Pray over them and turn them over to Jesus...maybe you need his healing, maybe you need his grace whatever it is give them to Jesus. Now when you are done praying turn the paper over and write on the back For this I have Jesus You might want to hid the paper in your Bible or even go ahead and through it away because you don't need to worry about it anymore.

Now Dear sister go and have a Blessed day because His Name is wonderful....oh before you go I found a wonderful old hymn. I thought this was special. If Jesus isn't making you smile yet. Maybe this will.

(go back and turn off my music at the top first)



Please leave a comment before you go and I would love to pray for you if you don't want to leave a comment send me an email.

I hope You are Blessed on the Journey

Monday 4 Mission

After encouragement from many of you I have begun joining Peggy and writing about our ministry on Mondays. And last week I took you on a virtual tour.

There is a topic that I have been thinking about and considering writing about for a couple of weeks. This topic has broken my heart and the hearts of many. I have heard comments from many people. Comments that were uplifting and encouraging. Comemnts that were negative, hurtful and hateful. I have responded to the negative comments because I couldn't help but set these people straight.

I considered sharing this on Saturday when Denise wrote about how the things that people say hurt so much. But I chose not to because surprisingly this topic has not been brought up in blogland. At least not in my circle of friends. All the comments that I have heard have come from friends and family and even people I go to church with.

Last night I stumbled onto a prayer group started by an 18 year girl that my daughter knows. This young lady has done something that I think is brave and amazing. She has started a prayer group for Jon and Kate Gosselin. I have been praying for them since I saw the episode aired last Monday (I think;...I get my weeks confused) It was heartbreaking to me to see it. I think when I first saw all the tabloids I ignored it and didn't believe it because we all know how they work.

But seeing them talk about it and how it has affected them and thier family broke my heart.

I have heard people say "She deserves it" and "It's about time he stood up for himself" . I have heard people make nasty comments just about the fact that they are on t.v. and that they have 8 children. Which the last I think is ridiculous. But I admired them for being on t.v. and doing what they can to give their kids a normal life. Of course being on t.v. isn't a normal life but having 6 kids at once isn't the norm either.

I have to say that I did not start watching until about a year and a half ago. I saw an all day Saturday special. I became hooked. I watched when I could my Cowboy isn't much into the show. I have been fascinated by the way they handle the kids and how organized they are. Secretly I have been in awe. I didn't know alot about them or visited their website so I was clueless as to whether they were Christians of not. But on one episode I noticed one of them wearing a t-shirt with the words Isaiah on it. Then I started noticing scripture in the background on the walls in the house. Then on an episode they mentioned going to church. I was happy and pleased to hear that they are a Christian family. And so they are my brother and sister in Christ. And although it shouldn't it breaks my heart even more that they are going through all this now. And that their hardship and struggle is so public. And that there are people that should know better that say things that are hurtful.

One comment that was made way before all this happened was just about the way they inter act and talk to each other. The comment was "They will end up divorced." I hated that comment then. And then when all this drama started I heard "Yea I knew they would get divorced." I had enough from this person and I responded by saying "Well are you proud of yourself that you predicted it?"
I wouldn't be I proud at all. In fact coming from this person it was very hypocritical. This was from a person that teaches about saving marriages and counsels couples and families.

I can only imagine the comments and thoughts that are going around. And since no one else has brought this up I haven't until now but. We are all sisters. We all pray for each other. We pray for each others families and their health and thier hurts. And my dear sisters we should join the young 18 year old and pray for Jon and Kate.

Maybe you have mixed emotions. Maybe you agree with some of the negative statements about one or the other. Maybe you have been in the same position as one of them. Maybe you just feel saddened.

Today let's join together and pray for peace and understanding. And pray that God is victorius and Satan is bond. And join me at the foot of the cross and pray for
Jon and Kate and the kids I wonder as I write this if maybe one of the children or even Jon or Kate are doing this....

making a cross out of rocks and sitting at the feet of the cross and just reaching out to Jesus to hold on tight.